focusing on what matters most

Tag Archives: Christian Pilgrimage

“When one door closes, another door opens, but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.” ~ Alexander Graham Bell

In 2003, before graduating college, my wife and I made plans to continue our graduate studies in the nation in Israel. Our goal was to immerse ourselves in the culture, learn the Hebrew language through the Rothberg International Institute at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. There we hoped to deepen our knowledge of the Jewish roots of Christianity.

It was an exciting prospect.

But our applications were disproved and we were left completely disappointed. The dream to visit the Holy Land ended and the idea placed on the shelf as life progressed with jobs, kids, and homes.

All the same, other much anticipated doors opened along the way.

One of them was our relocation to Central Florida. There I had some success working as a student pastor and my wife as a university professor. I cherished our memories there, as a place where we welcomed our first two children into the world. They’ve changed our lives.

But some dreams are not meant to die. Last May, my work colleague and I were approached about organizing a trip overseas. At first I thought the conversation was far-fetched until the destination of that trip was revealed. Yes, you guessed it…Israel.

It’s been 13 years and the opportunity looks a whole lot different this time around. I’m no longer a college student unaccountable to no one but my wife, living the high for the next big adventure. Because of the exploratory nature of the trip, I’ll help lead a group of close to 100 people through the Holy City for 10 days!

I can’t wait to experience Palestine – its culture, people, food, history and geography.

I’m grateful, oh so grateful, for this opportunity. Over the years, I’ve learned to accept doors when they close; but I’ve also learned how to appreciate the dynamic of a moment that opens up new opportunity in my life. Each have helped to form me into the man I am today.